Monday Musings...

If you prefer your weather a bit on the wet side, we here in Indiana have got a week lined up for you. If I didn't know better, I'd think we have ourselves a "rainy season" on our hands.
We're well ahead of the rain totals we usually have for this time of year.
I suppose it's better if it IS rain, rather than snow, yet neither one is good when not received in moderation, right?

S'funny...sun was just out a minute ago.

Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us (you guessed it) scattered showers and thunderstorms, possibly heavy at times. Temps will top out around the low 80s, and if you manage to see the sun, you're among the lucky ones...not much sun out there.
So what say we chase the whole "rainy days and Mondays" gig away with a nice refreshing drink, as we see what else has been going on, hmm?
*** First off of the rain gauge is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JULY 10 -
---It's Collector Car Appreciation Day

(guess I can toss the old Firebird into this category NOW, after 34 years?)
---It's National Clerihew Day

(don't worry, this is a whimsical four-line biographical poem kinda thing)
---It's National Pina Colada Day

(and please...keep them coming)
*** Next, yes my car is now officially 34 years old...and it still runs (well)...LOL.

Don't take it out much, and have to charge the battery weekly, but where we live, I can't devote as much time to it as I used to...plus, I'm getting older too, just like the "Batmobile".
Kinda odd to have a car THAT long, but I have come to know how it's supposed to work (and sound), and what might ail it when it makes a noise I'm not familiar with. Guess you could say it's a "kinship" of sorts. Longevity does that sorta thing.

Still, not bad for paying out $11K (and change) when it was brand new back in 1983.
Try that sort of thing today and see "how much car" you really get for THAT price.
*** Next up, an editorial in yesterday's J-G that even had me going...for a brief time.

Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/20170709/christian-conundrum

The author seems to take a poke at our current VP (and Jeff Sessions) when he mentioned that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and that fostering the country's Christian, or Judeo-Christian, identity is essential.

((Of the 27 grievances against the British Crown that the Declaration puts forward, not one concerns religion. Likewise, the Constitution merely recognizes “freedom of religion”; it doesn't endorse Christianity – it doesn't even mention it. These omissions present today's Christian nationalists with a real awkwardness.))

And yet, the author does a decent job of describing Christian Nationalism both in 18th century America as well as in today's America. It's worth a read.
*** Next, we got through the weekend without a homicide or shooting in the Summit City...how'd that happen?
The media is currently saying we've had 16 homicides so far this year (I'm saying 18).
And this is the FIRST day following that overly long stretch of days when all those damn fireworks wee legal to set off.
You hear ANY fireworks...just call the cops (like they'll assign a real priority to the call and actually write a citation for those using them). Who knows...you might get lucky.
Still, I can make a wager that those up in Auburn might seek to AMEND their fireworks laws, after this story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20170708/arrest-in-auburn-library-arson-firework-in-book-return-blamed

Nykolas Elkins - asshole

Yeah, tossing fireworks into a book return slot isn't demonstrating your ability to be the brightest crayon in ANY box...is it?
Freaking dumbass.
I will say they DO know how to charge such idiots in Dekalb County. This jerk is facing one count of possession of a destructive device or explosive with intent and one count of arson. That's very well-worded. I like it.
Now, if ONLY they'd pull something SIMILAR here in Fort Wayne (before someone gets hurt or something gets burned to the ground).
Fireworks as a "destructive device or explosive"...that's exactly what they ARE (and can become), people. And that's why I prefer to let the PROS set them off/...they have LICENSES (from the BATFE) to do so...and they do it very well.
*** Next up, time to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

The kids were a bit more anxious with all the fireworks activity. The really loud mortar rounds tended to startle the kids, which really pissed me off. I hate the see animals set upon, because of other people and their lack of respect to others.

But, eventually, things did calm down, and there was some time to catch up on all the napping that was missed.
Wifey and I took to playing with them, to take their feline minds off of what as going on outside.
*** Next, let's see how things played out with our "Tales of Midnight"...

He took a long time coming around Friday...didn't stop by for food until 11 AM. I'd bet he slept in because of the noise the night before. Can't say I blame him.
He was back on track the rest of the weekend, even if he didn't stay around too long after he ate his food.

He did return, and yesterday spent the better part of the evening on the patio as Wifey and I took turns going out to pet him and get some leg rubs in appreciation from our little furry buddy.
*** Last back to the rain barrel...it's a fact that time changes things.

To be more precise, time changes everything. And not always in the way we would prefer.
If we go back to the beginnings of our nation, we found change to be a good thing (getting out from England's thumb of taxation).

Through our history, we have been a nation bound by change, whether it was creating our own laws, moving westward, settling territories, establishing cities and states, building a railroad that spanned the continent...you name it.

Some changes were needed, and were pivotal in our history. Other changes were ones we didn't need, and later on, expressed regret for perpetrating (the trail of tears comes to mind).
We went through our Revolution, the War of 1812,  a Civil War, two world wars, as well as wars fought in Korea and Vietnam.
And every one fo them affected all the people in this country, make no doubt.
As time went on, our nation changed...beginning as an "infant" and then growing into maturity in the global arena.
Through all this, certain changes were required and...inevitable.
It's when we allow changes for the sake of change to take place, that we have problems.

That's (unfortunately) where we are today. It's become easier to change anything at any time for any reason, than sit back think things through and decide the correct course to proceed.

We really need to catch our breath, step back and honestly ask ourselves whether all the changes we are forced to endure are what we NEED...or what others want (for us).

That is what we all need to focus on, if we are to make the best of the time we have at hand.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.